Contoro Robotics, Go! Retail Group partner to enhance warehouse operations

Contoro Robotics, an Austin, Tx.-based robotics company, and Go! Retail Group have announced a partnership that will see Contoro robots unloading Go! containers to enhance warehouse operations. Go! Retail Group has over 650 stores nationwide and this collaboration marks a significant step in the company’s mission to improve efficiency, reduce labor costs and boost worker safety.

Central to the partnership is Contoro's advanced robotic offering, which automates the offloading of floor-loaded shipping containers - one of the most challenging tasks in warehouse operations. With container temperatures reaching up to 140 degrees during Texas summers, this task has been both physically demanding and hazardous.

Go! will use Contoro’s RaaS model

“We're excited to have Contoro Robotics on board,” said Paul Hoffman, president of Go! Retail Group. “Their robots keep our workers out of unsafe environments and let machines handle the heavy lifting. This not only expands our operational capacity but also aligns perfectly with our seasonal business model.”

The partnership utilizes Contoro’s Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, where Go! Retail Group pays per container unloaded, ensuring cost efficiency and flexibility, especially during peak seasons.

“Our robots are designed to adapt and learn from real-world challenges,” said John Cook, head of business development at Contoro Robotics. “We’ve tailored our robots to meet Go! Retail’s specific needs and manage the fleet from our Austin command center to ensure smooth operations and continuous AI-driven improvements.”

The collaboration has already shown promising results, according to the companies. Go! has seen faster unloading times and better working conditions for its employees.

“Having the robot handle unloading allows our team to focus on other critical tasks,” said Kiyoshi Freeman, senior manager, receiving, at Go! Retail Group. “It’s a win-win that enhances both productivity and safety.”

Want to learn more about robots picking, packing and packaging? This article was featured in the October 2024 Robotics 24/7 Special Focus Issue titled “Robots picking and packing with precision.”

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